The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) commends Seattle area prosecutors for charging Brock Stainbrook with a hate crime following his attack on a Sikh convenience store employee – Mr. S (identity kept confidential) – in Queen Anne on August 24, 2010. READ MORE: Seattle man attacked shopkeeper, calls victim a terrorist The Sikh American community commends Seattle area law enforcement for investigating and recognizing this attack as a hate crime,” said SALDEF Managing Director Kavneet Singh. “SALDEF commends prosecutors for charging Mr. Stainbrook with a hate crime in addition to the charges of malicious harassment and fourth-degree assault.” The victim was allegedly assaulted, told he was not an American, and called a terrorist because he wore a turban in accordance with his Sikh faith. After initially striking Mr. S, Mr. Stainbrook yelled at the unidentified Sikh American man, “You’re not even American, you’re al-Qaida. Go back to your country.” READ MORE: Man attacks man wearing turban in Seattle store “These crimes based on the perceived race, ethnicity, or religion of the victim cannot be tolerated. Unfortunately, the anti-Muslim bias and nativist feelings that motivates these attacks are based on a premise that runs counter to the fundamental freedoms and liberties that our nation was founded upon,” said Mr. Singh. “All Americans must be free to practice their faith without fear.” SALDEF denounces the rise in anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment which has lead to this attack and an increase in these types of incidents over the past several months. Observant Sikh Americans are distinguished by their dastaars (Sikh turbans) and uncut hair, and beards for men, all mandated articles of faith. There are approximately 500,000 Sikhs in the United States. Sikh Americans have been in the United States for over 100 years. Sikhism originated in South Asia over 500 years ago.
